Veteran Stereotypes
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
18-4-2016 2:00 PM
End Date
18-4-2016 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Karla Lassonde
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
This study aims to assess stereotypes for military personnel by asking both a sample of undergraduate students and a sample of veterans from MSU, Mankato to reflect on how soldiers are viewed in society. Though there is a significant body of research on group stereotypes, there is no known work describing common perceptions held about military service members. It is projected that within the United States over 200,000 service members will transition from the military into college each year for the next four years; as this group grows there is attention needed to best understand how these students are viewed.
Specifically, an understanding of common stereotypes may help indicate to those in the service the challenges they face-in a college environment. To determine held stereotypes, a sample of undergraduate and veteran students completed a survey assessing how much they agreed or disagreed with statements about military personnel that were either positive, negative, or neutral. They also completed a survey to determine whether or not they were responding in a socially desirable manner. Results revealed that overall both the veteran and undergraduate student samples predominantly ascribed positive attributes to veterans, such as a good work ethic, and practicing gun safety over negative. Differences between the two samples were found, with undergraduates indicating higher agreement that veterans are prone to illness and hostile. More information on the implication of these results on both veteran students and institutions of higher learning will be discussed.
Veteran Stereotypes
CSU Ballroom
This study aims to assess stereotypes for military personnel by asking both a sample of undergraduate students and a sample of veterans from MSU, Mankato to reflect on how soldiers are viewed in society. Though there is a significant body of research on group stereotypes, there is no known work describing common perceptions held about military service members. It is projected that within the United States over 200,000 service members will transition from the military into college each year for the next four years; as this group grows there is attention needed to best understand how these students are viewed.
Specifically, an understanding of common stereotypes may help indicate to those in the service the challenges they face-in a college environment. To determine held stereotypes, a sample of undergraduate and veteran students completed a survey assessing how much they agreed or disagreed with statements about military personnel that were either positive, negative, or neutral. They also completed a survey to determine whether or not they were responding in a socially desirable manner. Results revealed that overall both the veteran and undergraduate student samples predominantly ascribed positive attributes to veterans, such as a good work ethic, and practicing gun safety over negative. Differences between the two samples were found, with undergraduates indicating higher agreement that veterans are prone to illness and hostile. More information on the implication of these results on both veteran students and institutions of higher learning will be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Sherrard, Katherine. "Veteran Stereotypes." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 18, 2016.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2016/poster-session-B/36
